To act or not to act? sheltering animals from the wild: A pluralistic account of a conflict between animal and environmental ethics

Abstract

In this research, the moral assumptions behind the arguments of both the proponents and opponents of sheltering have been analyzed within a morally pluralistic framework. It is concluded that sheltering on too large a scale would be contrary to the efforts of the last few decades to maintain an independent or wild seal population, which means that a certain amount of caution is called for. However, in the current situation there is no decisive reason to completely prohibit shelters either. Good arguments can even be given in favor of sheltering. It also becomes clear that the acceptability of sheltering wild animals depends on the specific circumstances in which an animal is encountered.